“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

“Paul sets heavenly realities (“the things above”) in contrast to earthly realities (“the things that are on the earth”). In doing so he tells us that reality upon earth is defined by the reality of heaven, not the other way around. Spiritual truth defines tangible reality. We are on dangerous ground when we weigh spiritual matters by what appears to be the fact based on limited, earthly evidence. He who sees only the earthly sees only partial reality; he misses the most vital pieces of evidence for interpreting reality in its fullness … The ‘things that are on earth’ only change when we leverage our minds in faith against ‘the things above.'” (Colossians and Philemon for Pastors, p.233)